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08-18-2019, 08:43 AM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: NorCal
Posts: 386
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Brand vs. Brand
Hi all, its been a while since i've posted here. We owned a 2016 Keytone Cougar 333MKS which we purchased new, and I lived in it about 80% of the time we owned, as it was parked at an RV park while I world out of town. We took a couple trips in it and really had very few issues overall with the unit. The few problems we did have, I was able to resolve myself. With that said, we sold it early this year to a Paradise Camp Fire victim.
We're looking at getting back into a 5r, and while the model we had, had a nice layout and was very suitable for a couple or family with a small child, it wouldn't have lasted long with my wife I and our 9 yo son and golden-doodle.
Im looking at a mid bedroom type of layout (vs. a rear bunkhouse), and we will likely go up a notch to a higher end model, since Ill be retiring at the end of this year.
With that said, I do like Keystone, but I'm not averse to a different brand.
For those of you who have had a different brand or may be looking at going to a different brand, what are some of your opinions. I know that not all the brands have a mid-bedroom type floorplan.
Also, as far as Keystone is considered, is it a fair assumption to say the Alpine and Avalanche are generally equivalent to the Montana and Montana HC?
Thanks in advance.
__________________
2019 Ram 3500 CTD, CC, Limited, DRW, 4x4, Aisin/4.10's
2017 Ram 3500 CTD CC DRW 4x4, 6.7/auto (Sold)
2016 Cougar 333MKS (sold to Camp Fire survivor)
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08-18-2019, 09:02 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Do you mean a mid master bedroom? I haven't seen anything like that, I have seen rear master/front living. Mid seems to be for the kitchen. Grand Designs does make a Solitude with a mid "playroom" with a bunk above it. It's in the Solitude line, and as far as I know Grand Designs doesn't void the warranty for "extended stay" (full time).
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-18-2019, 09:47 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: NorCal
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chuckster57
Do you mean a mid master bedroom? I haven't seen anything like that, I have seen rear master/front living. Mid seems to be for the kitchen. Grand Designs does make a Solitude with a mid "playroom" with a bunk above it. It's in the Solitude line, and as far as I know Grand Designs doesn't void the warranty for "extended stay" (full time).
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Thanks Chuck. I should clarify, looking for a mid "playroom" type layout (like the MONTANA HIGH COUNTRY 384BR). We won't be doing any full time... for a few years, as our son is just starting 4th grade.
__________________
2019 Ram 3500 CTD, CC, Limited, DRW, 4x4, Aisin/4.10's
2017 Ram 3500 CTD CC DRW 4x4, 6.7/auto (Sold)
2016 Cougar 333MKS (sold to Camp Fire survivor)
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08-18-2019, 09:56 AM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,353
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Your welcome. There are lots of choices these days, I would probably just figure on a few trips to a few different dealers and look. We spent 3 years and countless hours/miles looking before we bought the present fiver. Good luck in your search, and please post up your short list when you get to that point.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-18-2019, 11:52 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Liberty, Texas
Posts: 5,034
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I'm thinking the Avalanche is a cut above the Montana High Country. Not sure which is considered top of line...Montana or Alpine.
You may look at Redwoods and Heartland Landmark 365 for some floor plans as well.
__________________
2018 Ram 3500 Laramie CC DRW LWB 4X4 Cummins Aisin 3.73
Reese Goosebox 20K
2018 Heartland Landmark 365 Oshkosh
2008 Bigfoot 25C9.4 LB Cabover
2023 CanAm Defender SXS
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08-18-2019, 06:38 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Posts: 1,431
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My neighbors have a Montana with a bonus room. Desk and cabinets plus a sofa bed. Also a loft above the room. It is a 2018.
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2022.Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 DRW
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08-18-2019, 07:23 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: NorCal
Posts: 386
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Quote:
Originally Posted by CaptnJohn
My neighbors have a Montana with a bonus room. Desk and cabinets plus a sofa bed. Also a loft above the room. It is a 2018.
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Do they like it? It's one of the units were considering.
__________________
2019 Ram 3500 CTD, CC, Limited, DRW, 4x4, Aisin/4.10's
2017 Ram 3500 CTD CC DRW 4x4, 6.7/auto (Sold)
2016 Cougar 333MKS (sold to Camp Fire survivor)
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08-18-2019, 07:26 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2015
Location: Ocean Isle Beach
Posts: 1,431
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bolo4u
Do they like it? It's one of the units were considering.
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They are extremely pleased. Zero problems and tows great for them. I know they are overloaded pulling with a 2017 F250 diesel 4x4. He states it tows very good. They go often and stay long periods.
__________________
2022.Montana 3855 BR
2019 F350 6.7 4X4 DRW
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08-19-2019, 03:26 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,333
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Keystone still considers the Montana as the flagship of their company. The Alpine, High Country and Avalanche all seem to be just ever so slightly back grouped in 2nd place. All are fine brands, but I might put the High Country back as a little too light weight. YMMV
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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08-19-2019, 10:16 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines
Keystone still considers the Montana as the flagship of their company. The Alpine, High Country and Avalanche all seem to be just ever so slightly back grouped in 2nd place. All are fine brands, but I might put the High Country back as a little too light weight. YMMV
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Are you speaking to quality/fit & finish... or units sold?
__________________
Jeff & Jan - Retired & Full-timing since 2013
2019 Ram Big Horn 3500 Aisin 4x4
2012 Alpine 3450-RL
Double Coin 235/75R-17.5/16 J rated 125lb
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08-19-2019, 03:05 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 6,333
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Jeffrey, I tried a reply about 1:30 or so but the site was not good to me and after five years or so my password went haywire as did everything else. I just LOVE new systems invented just to keep people employed....
But I digress. I'm certainly not going by units sold, With the Montana being a relatively costly unit and having passed 100K in sales that alone speaks for itself. I'm simply voicing what we found was the message during our factory tour early last year. The people we talked to at the plant didn't talk down any particular brand, they just sort of flaunted the Montana brand more than the others. We have been in literally dozens and dozens of RV brands and models over the years from high dollar to 'Lord, I wouldn't be seen dead in that' models. My personal opinion came in when I said that the High Country seems to the lowest of the four we discussed. I simply believe that it was built
with lighter weight products, hence I put it last. Again, YMMV.
__________________
Jim in Memphis, Wife of 51 years is Brenda
2019 F450 6.7 Powerstroke
2018 Mobile Suites 40RSSA
2021 40' Jayco Eagle
2001 Road king w/matching Harley sidecar
2021 Yamaha X2 Wolverine 1000
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08-19-2019, 08:44 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Oregon
Posts: 783
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Quote:
Originally Posted by notanlines
Jeffrey, I tried a reply about 1:30 or so but the site was not good to me and after five years or so my password went haywire as did everything else. I just LOVE new systems invented just to keep people employed....
But I digress. I'm certainly not going by units sold, With the Montana being a relatively costly unit and having passed 100K in sales that alone speaks for itself. I'm simply voicing what we found was the message during our factory tour early last year. The people we talked to at the plant didn't talk down any particular brand, they just sort of flaunted the Montana brand more than the others. We have been in literally dozens and dozens of RV brands and models over the years from high dollar to 'Lord, I wouldn't be seen dead in that' models. My personal opinion came in when I said that the High Country seems to the lowest of the four we discussed. I simply believe that it was built
with lighter weight products, hence I put it last. Again, YMMV.
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Whoa what a coincidence... I could not get signed in either! "They" kept saying my "user name" & "password" were the same? They never were...ever!!! Every time I would type in my password, it would say is was wrong! So I had to jump through hoops and have a new password given to me through my e-mail.
__________________
Jeff & Jan - Retired & Full-timing since 2013
2019 Ram Big Horn 3500 Aisin 4x4
2012 Alpine 3450-RL
Double Coin 235/75R-17.5/16 J rated 125lb
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09-23-2019, 06:59 PM
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#13
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Cameron
Posts: 4
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We have a 2018 Avalanche 375RD. Everyone loves the roomy home-like layout and the only problem we've had has been with the furnace, but the dealer swapped it out while we waited. We have lived in it full time from day one. At home, we are on our own property on concrete with a cover, so it is well taken care of. The 5w feels like it was designe for me. It is 2 yrs old next month.
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08-19-2019, 06:11 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Mountain Home, Idaho
Posts: 3,015
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Brand vs. Brand
When we finally made out our first fifth wheel purchase we went with Alpine (2014)... we had looked at Montana line and also Jayco and GD..
Went with Alpine mainly because in 2014 the Montana units we looked at did not have HP on Zone 1 AC unit.
Both drop frame.
No regrets with our 2014 Alpine ... 4th Keystone unit for us. Love the hydraulic leveling system and all hydraulic slide outs
I am not fond at all so far with the new In Command system on new Keystone models... ASE Jensen and Keystone have some improvements to make. Thankfully ours didn’t come with that system.
__________________
2007 GMC Classic club cab 4x4 Duramax LBZ
2014 Alpine 3010 RE. 34 foot fifth wheel
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08-25-2019, 09:44 AM
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#15
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Junior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Pawtucket
Posts: 7
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I purchased a Cougar mid-bedroom model last year and love it. The extra storage in the room as well as the "attic loft" it provides were the main reasons we wanted this model - we live in it for 6 months at a time. It also provides a guest room when someone visits.
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08-25-2019, 12:30 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Sandy
Posts: 191
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We looked at Cougar and Montana 5th wheels, along with Jayco. All had their strong points and shortcomings. But, Grand Design suited us. Sorry Keystone, we went with the Solitude.
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08-27-2019, 09:40 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Eastern GTA
Posts: 195
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If you want to see other brands' offerings that are similar to the Montana you mentioned, I'd look at Forest River's Cedar Creek 37MBH.
__________________
2023 Rockwood Signature 8262RBS
2016 Ford F-250 XLT SuperCrew, 6.2L, 4x4, 6'9" bed, 3.73
2019 Rockwood Signature 8290BS (2019-2023)
2011 Rockwood Signature 8293SS (2014-2018)
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08-27-2019, 01:28 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: Anchorage
Posts: 610
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We are currently doing homework for a full time 5er purchase. Looking for a front or rear kitchen layout. There are some Keystone floorplans we like but we want some thing certified for full time and are looking at possibly going custom Have researched DRV, and New Horizions. Gonna take a look at Luxe and Space Craft too. Yes these are high end units but the are also built for full time living.
__________________
Mike
2016 Ford F350 CC 6.7 4x4 SRW (Ghost Rider)
2017 Cougar 29 RKSWE (The Tumble Weed)
Connected by a Curt 15K WDH W/Sway Control
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08-27-2019, 06:02 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Picacho, Az
Posts: 6,809
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ADQ K9
We are currently doing homework for a full time 5er purchase. Looking for a front or rear kitchen layout. There are some Keystone floorplans we like but we want some thing certified for full time and are looking at possibly going custom Have researched DRV, and New Horizions. Gonna take a look at Luxe and Space Craft too. Yes these are high end units but the are also built for full time living.
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Might check out the Redwood line as well, same quality & similar floorplans as DRV for much less $$$$, both are Thor products. The Luxe is in the same category as far as quality as Redwood & DRV, all are advertised as full-time coaches. We had very good service with minimal issues for 6+ years full-timing in our Redwood & would/do recommend them.
As for the Spacecraft & New Horizons you'll need more truck than a 350/3500 or 450/4500, they'll require a heavy duty truck. As long as you're looking at HUGE HEAVY EXPENSIVE 5ers, check out Continental Coach also.
__________________
Full-timed 10+ years
Sold '13 Redwood FB
Traded '13 GMC Denali DRW D/A
Replacement undetermined
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